Many women who have skipped a few periods in the row may think that they are pregnant. But in many cases, a pregnancy test can be negative. The point is that there are a lot of factors that can affect the menstrual cycle and periods as well. In this article, we have gathered seven common causes of missed periods other than a pregnancy you should know about.

1. Stress

Stress is a quite common issue for many modern people. Tight schedules, daily work, and a lot of tasks can make you feel stressed. As a result, many women can have missed periods. The point is that stress can affect the part of your brain that regulates menstruation which is called the hypothalamus. In this case, you can try to cope with stress with the help of relaxation techniques and lifestyle changes.

2. Weight gain or loss

Many women who have low body weight can have missed periods. If you suffer from eating disorders (such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia), it is better to seek professional help. The point is that sudden changes in body weight can cause hormonal fluctuations that can affect your periods. This means that excessive weight and obesity can also make your periods disappear. A healthy diet and lifestyle changes can help you lose weight and normalize your menstrual cycle. 

3. Excessive exercising

If you are an athlete or are fond of exercising, your periods can also disappear. As mentioned above, low body weight can cause hormonal changes. Lack of menstruation due to excessive exercise is called exercise-associated amenorrhea. If you will try to exercise less and gain weight, your periods can normalize. 

4. Thyroid issues

The thyroid gland produces hormones that impact many processes in your body including your menstrual cycle. If your thyroid gland produces an excessive amount of hormones (hyperthyroidism) or an insufficient amount of hormones (hypothyroidism), your periods can also disappear. Thyroid malfunctions can be easily detected by a blood test. Timely and proper treatment can help regulate your periods and manage other symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. 

5. Hormonal contraceptives

If you start taking birth control pills or use other types of hormonal contraception, you may have missed periods. The point is that hormonal contraceptives contain the hormones estrogen and progestin, which prevent the ovaries from producing eggs. This also affects menstruation. Your menstrual cycle will normalize in approximately six months after stopping the pill.

6. Premature ovarian failure

Premature ovarian failure, also known as primary ovarian insufficiency, is a condition in which the ovaries stop working normally before age 40. The point is that women with this condition can stop ovulating and menstruate. Unfortunately, there is no cure for primary ovarian insufficiency but there are certain treatment options that can ease the symptoms of this condition. 

7. Polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that occurs in women who have an increased amount of male hormones. The most common symptoms of this condition include:

• Fertility issues
• Missed periods
• Acne
• Excessive body hair growth
• Weight gain 
• Cysts on the ovaries
• Male-pattern baldness

If you have noticed at least some of the aforementioned symptoms, you need to undergo a gynecological exam. Even though there is no cure for PCOS, you can undergo treatment that will manage some symptoms.  

The bottom line

If you have skipped a few periods in a row, you need to make an appointment with a doctor. You should also know that pregnancy tests are not always accurate. That’s why it is better to visit a gynecologist and evaluate your condition.